9.14.2009

talks end 30 year us-iran standoff

a problem for israel's agenda...whatever would we do if peace broke out? - ed.

THE first formal talks between Iranian and American officials since the breaking of diplomatic relations almost 30 years ago have been given the go-ahead by President Barack Obama.

Despite warnings from Tehran that it will not negotiate on its nuclear programme, Obama decided on Friday to accept an offer of face-to-face talks that will also be attended by British, Russian, Chinese and other European officials.

The US decision to resume direct contact with Iran after years of mutual belligerence followed indications from Moscow that Russia would not support any new United Nations sanctions on Iran over its pursuit of nuclear technology.

The talks will be the first substantive contacts since the seizure of 53 hostages in the American embassy in Tehran in 1979.

read more @ times online

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